Crystal Bridges

Rockwell. O’Keefe. Picasso. Warhol. Works by these art world luminaries are housed in vast museums in bustling cities around the world.

And also in charming Bentonville, Arkansas.

Thanks to the philanthropy of Alice Walton, daughter of retailer icon Sam Walton (yes, of Walmart), visitors of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art can view artwork from some of the most famous artists in the world, right here in the heart of the country. And the most amazing part: admission is free!

I visited Crystal Bridges for the first time two years ago and was blown away by the experience. First of all, the building itself is a work of art. Designed by Moshe Safdie, the museum features several ponds that connect the modern (yet, rustic) buildings. The simple beauty of the complex complements its natural surroundings and creates an overall feeling of tranquility.

The collection of artwork inside is mesmerizing. These are some of my favorite pieces:

There are enough pieces of art displayed to make the experience impressive and educational without being overwhelming. In fact, one month after my first visit to Crystal Bridges I traveled to New York City and walked through the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and while I was grateful to have seen the many fine collections of art housed there, I was exhausted by the museum’s enormity. I enjoyed my Crystal Bridges experience better because its size is manageable, yet it still offers world-class artwork.

The main gallery houses over 400 pieces of artwork, originating from the colonial period through the 21st century. Highlights of the collection include Charles Wilson Peale’s George Washington, Mary Cassatt’s The Reader, Norman Rockwell’s Rosie the Riveter, Andy Warhol’s Dolly Parton, and Evan Penny’s Old Self.

Free (yes, free!) guided public tours are offered on a drop-in basis and last one hour. You may also take a self-guided tour, audio tour, or schedule a group tour. If you have questions while you tour, there are several knowledgeable staff members in each gallery. I found them to be extremely friendly; they reminded me of Walmart store greeters.

You may take photos in the museum, but you must disable your camera’s flash and maintain a distance of 18 inches from the artwork.

In addition to the main gallery, special exhibits travel to Crystal Bridges and you may view them for a small fee. When I visited with my family last week, we saw The William S. Paley Collection: A Taste for Modernism which included works from Paul Gauguin, André Derain, Henri Matisse, Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, and Pablo Picasso. Admission for this exhibit was $8 for adults, and free to kids 18 and under. What a small price to pay to see artwork that you’d normally have to travel by plane to see!

If you have children, be sure to stop by the The Studio. After viewing the masterpieces in the museum, kids will be inspired to explore their creative sides in this discovery studio and play area.

If you visit Crystal Bridges on a nice day, be sure to take a walk on at least one of the eight outdoor trails.

These trails lead to several outdoor works of art that you won’t want to miss, including Robert Indiana’s steel sculpture of his famous Love image that was originally designed as a Christmas card for The Museum of Modern Art in 1965.

A trip to Crystal Bridges offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in a visual art oasis, located right in the middle of the Ozarks.

Crystal Bridges is located at 600 Museum Way in Bentonville, Arkansas. Click here to visit Crystal Bridges’ website.

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Living Life to The Fullest!

I love seeking out new experiences and finding places off the beaten path. I started Joplin MO Life in August 2013 as a way to share my discoveries with others in the Joplin community so that they can learn about the resources that exist right in their own backyards.

I have worked in education and event planning, and have always loved to write. I hold a master's degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor's degree in marketing from Tulane University.